Slim broom

ABSTRACT

A slim broom includes a planar body having a planar handle extending from an elongated linear shape into an elongated brush attachment with a brush planar profile; and brush thistles fitting into the planar profile attached to one end of the brush attachment.

BACKGROUND AND RELEVANT ART

The present system relates to a slim broom.

A broom is a cleaning tool consisting of usually stiff fibers (oftenmade of materials such as plastic, hair, or corn husks) attached to, androughly parallel to, a cylindrical handle, the broomstick. It is thus avariety of brush with a long handle. It is commonly used in combinationwith a dustpan.

In many Asian countries, however, brooms are not always made of stifffibers, as there is often a distinction between a “hard broom” and a“soft broom”. Soft brooms are made for sweeping the walls of cob websand spiders, and are very important for that reason. Hard brooms aremade for the harder job of actually sweeping dirt off sidewalks.

Cleaning services are required in almost every building. The ability tokeep a building (or any given area) clean contributes not only tocleanliness, but also to safety. Removing trash, dirt and other debrisis therefore scheduled with regularity. However, there are manysituations where the ability to clean is hampered by the environment.Many buildings (e.g., a warehouse) include a significant amount ofstorage space. Many types of shelving or storage area designs,unfortunately, make cleaning difficult. In particular, the structure ofthe shelving or storage may hinder the ability to properly clean thearea underneath the shelving or storage.

Racks are an example of shelving that are difficult to clean under.These racks are often large and deep. Cleaning underneath the racksmanually is difficult because a person often cannot see beneath theracks and often cannot reach far enough underneath the racks to cleanproperly. In fact, the trash, dirt, or other debris (“trash”) may simplybe pushed further underneath the racks. Over time, the trash accumulatesand becomes a source of concern. For example, the accumulated trash maypresent a fire hazard. Similarly, in narrow crevices where shelves arestacked together it may be difficult if not impossible for conventionalbrooms to sweep debris out of. Objects that inadvertently fall intothese narrow spaces are lost and cannot be retrieved.

Moving the racks or other shelving or storage is often impracticalbecause the shelves are usually loaded or are simply too big or aremounted in manner that prevents movement. Regardless of the reason, itis simply inconvenient or too costly to rearrange the racks as well asthe items stored on the racks in order to clean underneath them.

Further, the racks often have a relatively low clearance from the floor.The low clearance further complicates efforts to clean underneath theracks or similar types of shelving. As a result, there is a need forsystems and methods that have the ability to clean in areas that aredifficult to access.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the at least some of theadvantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a moreparticular description of the invention briefly described above will berendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not thereforeto be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will bedescribed and explained with additional specificity and detail throughthe use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a slim broom.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the slim broom with a region to be shown inmore detail in FIG. 8.

FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the slim broom.

FIG. 4 shows a left side view of the slim broom.

FIG. 5 shows a right side view of the slim broom.

FIG. 6 shows a bottom view of the slim broom.

FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of the slim broom.

FIG. 8 shows in more details an enlarged front view of the thistles ofthe broom.

FIG. 9 shows in more details an enlarged bottom view of thistles in thebroom of FIG. 7.

SUMMARY

A slim broom includes a planar body having a planar handle extendingfrom an elongated linear shape into an elongated brush attachment with abrush planar profile; and brush thistles fitting into the planar profileattached to one end of the brush attachment.

Advantages of the broom may include one or more of the following. Thecleaning device/broom has a low profile or a low height that enables thebroom as a cleaning device to maneuver and clean beneath variousstructures such as racks or shelving. The flat profile also enables thebroom to access narrow openings via which debris may have fallen. Theother advantage of the flat profile is it eases storage in tight spaces.The height and width may be configured such that embodiments can beaccommodated in the space available underneath storage such as shelvingor racks. Both the width and/or the height may be adjustable eithermanually or automatically. In addition, the dimensions of the device maybe adjusted remotely in some embodiments. The low height enables thedevice to travel underneath, by way of example only, racks or otherobjects. The width enables the device to clean a swath of floorunderneath the racks or objects. The slim or flat profile makes it easyto access narrow gaps for cleaning.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a slim broom. The broom has asubstantially planar and low profile handle 10. The shape of the handle10 expands from an elongated linear shape into an elongated brushattachment 100 having brush thistles 110 attached to one end of thebrush attachment 100.

In one embodiment, the top of the handle 10 has a suspension slot tostore the broom. The suspension slot can be inserted and placed on ascrew, nail, or projection from a flat surface such as a wall, amongothers. In another embodiment, the top of the handle 10 has a pluralityof indentations, depressions, or bumps 12 to support a secure grip.Moreover, the top of the handle 10 can have a rubber or plastic sleevethat slides over the top of the handle 10 to provide comfort for theuser during use.

In yet another embodiment, the brush attachment 100 has an opening orrecess 102 therein. The recess 102 enables the structural support duringbrushing, yet reduces weight. In this embodiment, the brush attachment100 has a triangular shape, but other shapes can be used includingcircular shape, trapezoidal shape, octagonal shape, or star shape, forexample. In one embodiment, the thistles can form an angled edge.

In one embodiment, the broom has a stamped metal body with a plasticsleeve or handle insert at the top of the handle. In this embodiment,the brush bristles are heat pressed together. Each bristle sheet is madefrom a sheet of nylon or thermoplastic material or composite material.The sheet is stamp cut into a desired form with bristles being intactand part of the sheet. A brush thistle assembly can be formed with fivesheets pressed together under high pressure and heat to bond with themetal frame. In one embodiment, the three inner bristle layers have athickness of 0.5 mm and two outer layers at 0.25 mm thickness that arebonded together to form a brush. In one embodiment, the five layers havea recess at the top where the brush attachment is inserted and suitablysecured using glue, screw, or any other suitable adhesives. The top ofthe thistle assembly has an inverted notch or V-shape that helps securethe brush attachment to the brush thistle assembly. This special layeredapproach to bond the thistles to form the brush enables the broom toprovide strong cleaning properties while retaining the slim profilenecessary for cleaning.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, one side of the thistle is longer than the otherside to create an angled brush. FIG. 2 shows a front view of the slimbroom with a region to be shown in more detail in FIG. 8 while FIG. 3shows a rear view of the slim broom.

FIG. 4 shows a left side view of the slim broom while FIG. 5 shows aright side view of the slim broom. FIGS. 4-5 show that the handle 10 andthe brush attachment 100 is one contiguous structure, however, the broomcan be made using multiple components. This embodiment can bemanufactured by stamping the shape of the brush body in one step, thusreducing manufacturing cost.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of the slim broom brush attachment 100 asconnected to the handle 10. The broom is planar and can be fitted intotight spaces for storage and/or brushing. FIG. 7 shows a bottom view ofthe slim broom. FIG. 8 shows in more details an enlarged front view of acentral portion of the thistles of the broom. As can be seen, the centerrows are angled. FIG. 9 shows in more details an enlarged bottom view ofthistles in the broom of FIG. 7. As shown therein, inner rows arebordered by two outer rows. The inner rows have smaller thistles, whilethe outer rows have larger thistles. In this manner, the outer rows canpick up large debris while the inner rows work on finer dust or debris.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a cleaning device. Embodiments ofthe invention further relate to a low profile cleaning device that canbe configured for self propelled operation and that is capable ofnavigating an area and for cleaning the area. Some embodiments areconfigured to adapt to and clean around obstacles that may be present inthe area being cleaned.

Embodiments of the invention may have a low profile or a low height thatenables the broom as a cleaning device to maneuver and clean beneathvarious structures such as racks or shelving. Embodiments also have arelatively larger width. The height and width may be configured suchthat embodiments can be accommodated in the space available underneathstorage such as shelving or racks. Both the width and/or the height maybe adjustable either manually or automatically. In addition, thedimensions of the device may be adjusted remotely in some embodiments.The low height enables the device to travel underneath, by way ofexample only, racks or other objects. The width enables the device toclean a swath of floor underneath the racks or objects.

The device can also be used to clean other areas and is not limited tocleaning underneath an object. In addition, the device may includejointed or hinged sections that are capable of deflecting (in one ormore directions) in order to accommodate obstacles in the path of thedevice.

The articles “a” and “an” as used herein in the specification and in theclaims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understoodto include the plural referents. Claims or descriptions that include“or” between one or more members of a group are considered satisfied ifone, more than one, or all of the group members are present in, employedin, or otherwise relevant to a given product or process unless indicatedto the contrary or otherwise evident from the context.

The invention includes embodiments in which exactly one member of thegroup is present in, employed in, or otherwise relevant to a givenproduct or process. The invention also includes embodiments in whichmore than one or the entire group of members is present in, employed inor otherwise relevant to a given product or process. Furthermore, it isto be understood that the invention encompasses all variations,combinations, and permutations in which one or more limitations,elements, clauses, descriptive terms, etc., from one or more of thelisted claims is introduced into another claim dependent on the samebase claim (or, as relevant, any other claim) unless otherwise indicatedor unless it would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that acontradiction or inconsistency would arise.

Where elements are presented as lists, (e.g., in Markush group orsimilar format) it is to be understood that each subgroup of theelements is also disclosed, and any element(s) can be removed from thegroup. It should be understood that, in general, where the invention, oraspects of the invention, is/are referred to as comprising particularelements, features, etc., certain embodiments of the invention oraspects of the invention consist, or consist essentially of, suchelements, features, etc. For purposes of simplicity those embodimentshave not in every case been specifically set forth in so many wordsherein. It should also be understood that any embodiment or aspect ofthe invention can be explicitly excluded from the claims, regardless ofwhether the specific exclusion is recited in the specification. Theentire contents of all of the references (including literaturereferences, issued patents and published patent applications andwebsites) cited throughout this application are hereby expresslyincorporated by reference.

Numerous modifications and alternative embodiments of the presentinvention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of theforegoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construedas illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled inthe art the best mode for carrying out the present invention. Details ofthe structure may vary substantially without departing from the spiritof the present invention, and exclusive use of all modifications thatcome within the scope of the appended claims is reserved. Within thisspecification embodiments have been described in a way which enables aclear and concise specification to be written, but it is intended andwill be appreciated, that embodiments may be variously combined orseparated without departing from the invention. It is intended that thepresent invention be limited only to the extent required by the appendedclaims and the applicable rules of law.

1. A slim broom, comprising: a planar body including a planar handle anda planar brush attachment, wherein the planar body has a continuousplanar profile, wherein the handle and brush attachment comprise astamped metal body; brush bristles coupled with the planar body at oneend of the brush attachment; and a stack of a plurality of adjacentsheets pressed directly together at a first end of the stack that iscoupled with the brush attachment, wherein each of the plurality ofsheets includes a plurality of elongated cuts from a first edge of thesheet that is distal from the brush attachment towards a second edge ofthe sheet that is proximate to the brush attachment, wherein theelongated cuts on the plurality of sheets form the brush bristles. 2.The broom of claim 1, comprising a sleeve coupled to one end of thehandle.
 3. The broom of claim 2, wherein the sleeve comprises plastic orrubber material.
 4. The broom of claim 1, comprising a plurality ofdepressions, indentations, or bumps on top of the handle to secure agrip.
 5. The broom of claim 1, comprising a sleeve with grippers thereoncoupled to one end of the handle.
 6. The broom of claim 1, comprising anopening on one end of the handle to suspend the handle on a surface. 7.The broom of claim 5, wherein the opening fits over a screw, nail, orprojection from the surface.
 8. The broom of claim 5, wherein theopening comprises an oval shape, a square shape, a circular shape, or anoctagon shape.
 9. The broom of claim 1, wherein the brush attachmentcomprises an opening or recess therein, wherein the shape of the openingor recess is similar to the shape of the brush attachment.
 10. The broomof claim 1, wherein the brush attachment comprises a hollowed structureproviding structural support during brushing with reduced weight. 11.The broom of claim 1, wherein the brush attachment comprises atriangular shape, a circular shape, a trapezoidal shape, an octagonalshape, or a star shape.
 12. The broom of claim 1, wherein the handle andthe brush attachment comprise one contiguous structure.
 13. The broom ofclaim 1, wherein the handle and brush attachment comprise multiplecomponents secured together.
 14. The broom of claim 1, wherein thebristles have different heights to form an angled brush.
 15. The broomof claim 1, wherein the bristles are attached to the brush attachment inrows.
 16. The broom of claim 15, wherein the rows are angled.
 17. Thebroom of claim 1, comprising a row of large bristles on either sides ofrows of thin bristles.
 18. (canceled)
 19. (canceled)
 20. The broom ofclaim 1, comprising a brush bristle assembly with an inverted notch orV-shape to secure the brush attachment to the brush bristle assembly.21. The broom of claim 18, wherein the stack of the plurality of sheetssubstantially fit with the continuous planar profile, and wherein afirst portion of the sheets is coupled to a first side of the brushattachment and a second portion of the sheets is coupled to a secondside of the brush attachment.